China's top diplomat told India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the nuclear-armed neighbours should regard themselves as "natural partners" rather than rivals as they held talks in New Delhi.

Speaking at a press conference in the Indian capital, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing could already detect the "wind" of change since Modi won a landslide election last month and was ready to aid what he called a "national rejuvenation" across the border.

Wang's comments came after he held some 45 minutes of talks with Modi in a sign of a mutual desire to improve ties which have been soured by border disputes and competition for influence in their neighourhood.